Miner&#39;s pit-cap.



l y PATE-NTSB 13110.11, 19o6.f R. E. PITCHER ISIIIBUEIRSl 'PIT GAP.

APPLICATION FILED JNE 16. 1905.

THE NoRRls FE erably provided with a vizor 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROYAL E. PITCHER, OF OSAGE CITY, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHAS. W. SWVENSON, OF OSAGE CITY, KANSAS.

IVIINERS PIT-CAP. i

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 11, 1906.

Application filed. June 16,1905. Serial No. 265,589.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROYAL E. PITCHER, of Osage City, county of Osage, State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Miners Pit-Caps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a class of devices known as miners pit-caps, which are caps provided with convenient means for carrying certain small implements used by miners and which should be readily available for use whenever needed.

The object of my invention is to provide in such a cap means for carrying one or more boxes, preferably a match-box and a wickbox, so constructed, respectively, that they tend to keep their place when inserted into their proper positions in the case provided for them in the cap and when in such positions to remain closed, but which are readily accessible to manipulation at need and which when withdrawn from their case open automatically. The automatic action referred to is not only a time-saving convenience, but it affords means for gaining access to the contents of either or any of the receptacles at will through the employment of but one hand either for withdrawing or replacing the receptacle from or into the case.

My device comprehends means for carrying a wick-puller with equal convenience and with equal Jfacility of manipulation.

In the accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of this specification, Figure I is a perspective view of a preferred form of embodiment of my invention, showing a cap equipped with a wick-puller and two receptacles, one a match-box and the other a wickbox, the view being taken looking toward the match-box. Fig. II is a vertical section of the receptacle-case detached from the cap and showing both boxes in elevation. The match-box is shown in full lines as confined within the case and in dotted lines in the act of being withdrawn therefrom, its lid being open in consequence of its release from the case. Fig. III is a section as on the line III III of Fig. II, both sides of the case being shown.

Referring to the numerals on the drawings,

1 indicates a cap made of any suitable materials and of any preferred'contour and pref- To the fore part of the cap is secured a case of suitable and preferred shape and dimensions and preferably provided with a crown-plate 8 and a vizor-plate 1l, which are secured, as by rivets 5 and 6, to the crown 7 and vizor 2 of the cap, respectively. The case is preferably provided with a front plate 8, which preferably projects sufliciently above the crown 7,

as indicated by the reference-numeral 9, to

constitute a suitable support for a miners lamp. (Not illustrated.) The projection above the crown also affords material for the formation of a lug l0, hereinafter referred to. The member above described is denominated a case in respect to its function of retaining within it a recepacle for whose accommodation it is provided. As previously set forth, I prefer to locate within it two receptaclesa match-box 14 and a wick-box 15. The match-box preferably opens at the top and the wick-box preferably at the side, but both operate substantially upon the same principle, as hereinafter set forth, and therefore consitute examples of two forms of embodiment thereof.

Each box 'fits loosely within the case, preferably between its front plate 8 and its back plate 16, so that it may be easily slipped into or out of the case, access to it in each instance being provided for through opposite finger and thumb notches 17 and 1S in the front and back plates, respectively. Where two boxes are employed, they are set, as shown in Eig. II, back to back and are limited in respect to inthrust into the case, as by stop-pins 19. (See Fig. III.)

The characteristic feature of the boxes is that they are provided with springs, which tend to automatically open them and which by ingly hold them in place against accidental dislodgment. The match box 14 preferably opens at the top, and being provided` with a hinged lid 20' at its end is provided with an internal spring` 21, disposed and adapted to yieldingly hold the lid open.

The wick-box l5 is provided with a hinged side lid 22, (see Fig. III,) which is provided with a bifurcated spring 23, secured to the end of the box, as indicated at 24, and tending to yieldingly force the lid open. It will therefore be seen that each lid by reason of the resilient action of its spring tends not ICO y one end, as indicated at 26, to the bottom of the case and projecting upwardly to make sure of its resiliency making yielding contact with a transverse stop-pin 27. Its free end 28 being suitably curved to conveniently and properly accommodate it to the support of the bottom of the match-box projects a little above the top of its stop-pin 27, so as to engage the bottom of the match-box and to cooperate with the spring 2l to hold the match-box in position within the case and at the same time to counteract the force of the spring 2l to keep the lid 20 closed while the match-box is inserted within the case.

Reverting to the lug l0, above alluded to, which constitutes a preferred horizontal projection for holding the wick-puller 30 in.

place, it is specilied that the said lug is perlt'orated for the accommodation of the straight end 3l of the wick-puller. Opposite to the said perforation, in vertical alinement therewith, I provide a pocket 32 for the accommodation of the hooked end of the wickpuller. The wick-puller may be held in position between the two coniining members specified-to wit, l0 and 32-as by a coiled spring 33, surrounding the wick-puller toward its end 81 and held in place thereon, las by a fixed collar 34.

The operation of my device may be understood from the foregoing specification, to which, however, may be added the statement that the wearer ofthe cap may by thumb and nger manipulation of either of the boxes or of the wick-puller apply force sufhcient to dislodge the desired member exerted against the force of its spring retaining member and having withdrawn it find it ready for instant use. When it is to be returned to place, all that is necessary is to gently slip it back into the case or holder provided for it against the opposition of its spring, which, as soon as it is introduced into its proper position, holds it there.

What I claim isk l. In a miners pit-cap, the combination with a case thereon and a receptacle htting within the case, of means within the receptacle for yieldingly holding it within the case.

2. In a miners cap, the combination with a cap and case thereon, of a receptacle provided with a hinged lid removably tting within the case and yielding means for holding the receptacle within the case and which at the same time tendy to open the lid.

3. In' a miners cap, the combination with a case, of a receptacle provided with a hinged lid, means within the receptacle for yieldingly holding the lid open and yielding means within the case cooperative with the said means within the receptacle 'for holding the receptacle within the case.

4. In a miners cap, the combination with a case open on opposite sides, of a plurality of receptacles within `the case and yielding means within said receptacles for holding the receptacles in place within the case.

5. In a miners cap, the combination with a case provided with an apertured lug and pocket alined therewith, of a wick-puller adapted to enter the aperture in the lug and the pocket respectively, and a spring upon the wick-puller for holding the wick-puller in place within said members.

6. In a miners cap, the combination with a case provided with an apertured lug and pocket alined therewith, of a wick-puller adapted to enter the aperture in the lug and the pocket respectively, and yielding means upon the wick-puller for holding the wickpuller in place within said members.

7. The combination with a miners cap provided with a vizor, of a case provided with a vcrown-plate, front plate and vizor-plate and means `for securing the crown-plate and vizor-plate to the crown and the vizor respectively, said front plate being extended above the crown substantially as and for the purpose specified, of an apertured lug bent Vat right angles from the top of the front plate, and a pocket opposite said lug,said lug and pocket being adapted to hold the wickpuller substantially as set forth.

8. In a miners cap, the combination with a case, of a receptacle provided with ahinged lid, and means within said receptacle adapted to automatically open the lid when the receptacle is removed from said case.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.`

ROYAL E. PITCHER.

Witnesses: 4

WALTER LoNGDEN, HY PARKIN.

TOO

IOS

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